Platonic love
Platonic love is a type of love in which sexual desire or romantic features are nonexistent or have been suppressed or sublimated, but it means more than simple friendship.
The term is derived from the name of Greek philosopher Plato, though the philosopher never used the term himself. Platonic love, as devised by Plato, concerns rising through levels of closeness to wisdom and true beauty, from carnal attraction to individual bodies to attraction to souls, and eventually, union with the truth.
Platonic love is contrasted with romantic love.
The idea of platonic love originated from the ancient Greek philosopher Plato’s writings, particularly his dialogue The Symposium. In his work, Plato described love as a path to wisdom, a spiritual and intellectual journey that ascends from appreciating physical beauty to contemplating abstract concepts and the “idea of beauty” itself. The term “Platonic love” was not actually coined by Plato, but was later created during the Renaissance by figures like Marsilio Ficino to describe this love that transcends physical desire.
Plato’s original concept
- Love as a ladder to knowledge: Plato saw love as a way to pursue higher wisdom and the “forms” or ideal versions of reality.
- The “ladder of love”: His philosophy suggests a progression from physical attraction to one person, to appreciating the beauty of all people, then the beauty of souls and knowledge, ultimately culminating in the contemplation of beauty itself.
- Spiritual and intellectual connection: Plato argued that true love is a spiritual and intellectual bond, a means to achieve a higher understanding of oneself and the world.
The term “platonic love”
- Renaissance origin: The specific term “platonic love” was coined by Renaissance philosophers like Marsilio Ficino, based on Plato’s ideas.
- Initial misunderstanding: Early uses of the term often mocked relationships that lacked a sexual component, seeing it as a ridiculous separation of love and sex.
- Modern meaning: Over time, the connotation faded, and “platonic love” evolved to its current meaning of a deep, intimate friendship without romantic or sexual involvement.
AI responses may include mistakes.
[1] https://www.merriam-webster.com/wordplay/platonic-plato-love-origin-history
[2] https://study.com/academy/lesson/platonic-relationship-overview-facts-love.html
[3] https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/hide-and-seek/202303/the-true-meaning-of-platonic-love
[5] https://vocal.media/fiction/platonic-love-the-power-of-deep-connections-beyond-romance
[6] https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/3jeee7/how_did_platos_name_become_root_word_for/
[7] https://greekreporter.com/2024/12/23/platonic-love-greek-philosopher-plato/